To ask the Minister of Finance to detail any consideration he is giving to ensuring that post offices in Northern Ireland receive the same level of business rates support as those in other parts of the United Kingdom.

ANSWER

Post Offices already receive rate support, including 174 Post Offices that receive Small Business Rate Relief at an enhanced relief level of either 50% or 100% depending on the size of their property. Post Offices with a higher valuation are also eligible for a 20% reduction under the standard Small Business Rate Relief scheme. Further details are available at the link below:-

https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/small-business-rate-relief-small-post-offices

As part of the ongoing Strategic Review of Small Business Rate Relief, my officials have already met with the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters (NFSP) over the summer. Officials also attended their event at the Assembly on 15 September, and individual Post Office business have actively responded to the survey for the Strategic Review. The Terms of Reference for that Review outlined that it would be looking at support provision in other jurisdictions. This will be considered through the lens of our own local needs and taxbase structure.

Following the completion of the Review, in the coming weeks I will be considering the various options to brief Executive colleagues on next steps with a view to making any changes.